Chapter Forty-five: Ruining The Perfect Moment

EVELYN'S POV:

As I walked into my house, I couldn't help but think about Aaron and what Leonard had told me. Questions about why Aaron would do something like that filled my heart. Life had a way of teaching harsh lessons, and this was one of them—be careful with people, and don't trust too easily.

But I didn’t want to dwell on it for long. I had shared an amazing time with Leonard the night before, and I didn’t want anything to ruin those memories. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, forcing Aaron's thoughts out of my mind.

Instead, I focused on how Leonard had surprised me with the car and how we had spent the day together, laughing and joking. The way he looked at me, with so much care and affection, lingered in my mind. He made me feel like I was the only person in the world who mattered. I hadn’t felt this way about anyone before, but I could tell when I loved someone and when they cared for me in return. I couldn’t hide it anymore—I loved Leonard.

I wasn’t going to let thoughts of Aaron ruin those beautiful memories. They weren’t worth it.

I rushed inside and headed straight to the bathroom. I had to bathe and get dressed quickly—I couldn’t afford to miss another day of work. I had already skipped the previous two days, and I didn’t want to start the week on a bad note.

As I bathed, my mind wandered to work and the tasks I had to catch up on. I remembered Mr. Watt and the meeting I was supposed to have with him yesterday. I made a mental note to call and apologize for missing it, though I wasn’t sure how it would go. That meeting meant so much to me—how could I have forgotten? Leonard had clearly been a distraction, but what puzzled me even more was that I hadn’t received any call or email about it. I grabbed my phone to confirm my thoughts, and I was right—no calls, no texts.

Once I was dressed, I rushed to see my dad before leaving for work. I hadn’t seen him since yesterday morning and didn’t have much time to chat, but I promised to catch up with him later. He gave me a questioning look, probably noticing the glow in my demeanor. I reassured him with a big grin, and he smiled back.

In a hurry, I called one of the drivers to take me to the office. I didn’t trust myself to drive—I was too distracted, and it might not go well. As we drove, I mentally outlined all the tasks I had to tackle at work. Chief among them was sorting out the situation with Mr. Watt.

When I arrived, I immediately called the secretary to inquire about Mr. Watt. She informed me that he had traveled abruptly and had sent an apology email to the office. She mentioned forwarding it to me, but I hadn’t seen it.

Curious, I checked my email again and realized I hadn’t refreshed it. Sure enough, the email was there. “My bad,” I muttered to the secretary with an embarrassed laugh. Mr. Watt’s email assured me that he would reschedule the meeting upon his return. Relief washed over me—I hadn’t missed anything crucial after all.

I sank into my chair and relaxed for a moment, allowing the tension to dissipate. Then, I dove into other tasks. I sorted through files, responded to official emails, and worked on a few proposals that required immediate attention. The workload was hefty, but I felt accomplished by the time I finished.

Exhausted, I stood up and decided to take a walk around the office to clear my head. As I stepped out of my office, my phone beeped. Curious, I checked the notification—it was an email from the project team.

My heart raced as I opened it, and I couldn’t believe my eyes. My project had been approved! Excitement bubbled within me, and my first thought was to share the news with my dad. He had been worried ever since I mentioned the challenges surrounding the presentation. I could already picture the joy on his face, and it gave me goosebumps.

I called him immediately, unable to contain my excitement. His voice lit up when I shared the news, and he suggested we celebrate in the evening. I agreed, though a part of me was looking forward to a quiet evening with Leonard.

As the workday wound down, I prepared to leave the office. I reflected on how much my life had changed in the past few weeks. Meeting Leonard had turned my world upside down, and though I was still processing Aaron’s actions, I couldn’t help but feel grateful. Despite the drama and stress, I had found someone who truly cared about me and discovered the courage to stand up for myself.

Walking out of the office, I felt a renewed sense of confidence and determination. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I was ready to face them—especially with Leonard by my side.

The car ride home felt like a blur as my mind replayed the events of the day. I thought about Leonard and how much I wanted to see him. Though I planned to celebrate with my dad, I hoped Leonard would be free to come over. I didn’t want to break the project news to him over the phone—it felt too special for that.

As I pulled into the driveway, I noticed it was already 5 p.m. Stepping out of the car, I took a moment to admire my new ride once more. Leonard’s gift felt like a tangible reminder of his thoughtfulness.

I rushed inside to get ready for the evening celebration. My thoughts kept drifting back to Leonard and how much he meant to me. I hoped to find a way to include him in the evening, even if just briefly.

As I was about to head out, my phone beeped again. It was a message from Leonard. My heart skipped a beat, and a smile spread across my face. Without hesitation, I called him back, eager to hear his voice and share everything on my mind.